Branch: Westcliff still have plenty to play for this season

Westcliff - who host Sutton & Epsom tomorrow - are currently seventh in the National Three London & SE standings.

But, despite having secured their safety, Branch is still keen to end the current campaign on a high.

“In my mind we still have it all to play for,” said Branch.

“This is Westcliff’s best season to date in this league and it’s been going well for us.

“But all the players in the squad want to make sure it’s the highest finish possible so we want to do well in our remaining matches.”

The first of those comes at the Gables this weekend as Westcliff host a Sutton side fighting to avoid relegation.

Sutton are currently 10th in the table, five points above the relegation zone.

And Branch is therefore expecting a competitive clash this weekend.

“Sutton & Epsom will be looking over their shoulders at the relegation zone as they aren’t mathematically safe yet so I think this will bring a massive amount of confrontation in the first half,” said the talented scrum half.

“But I’m confident we can deal with this pressure and outperform them to get the result we all want.”

Westcliff are also keen to end a run of three successive defeats as Branch looks to get a fine individual season back on track.

“Personally it has been a huge season,” said Branch.

“So far I’ve started every game of the season, something that hasn’t happened for me at men’s level.

“The captaincy has been a big boost but mostly I’m just really enjoying my rugby.”